A great introduction to the significance of diegetic vs.
extra-diegetic elements in films is delivered by Claudia Gorman in an
essay titled "Music as Salvation: Notes on Fellini and Rota." In it
she investigates the use and sources of music in "Notti di Cabiria"
and helps the reader to understand what would be different if the
music we hear was not generated in the world of the film we are
watching. This is the essay that showed me it was possible to use
film theory to gain a deeper understanding of the films we love,
rather than just show off a facility to throw around a lot of $2
words. I read this essay in "Federico Fellini: Essays in Criticism,"
edited by Peter Bondanella. I'm sure it can be found in many other
sources.
Stephen Brophy
Cambridge, Mass.
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